Redistricting panel conflict of interest, media cover up

Once again Daniel Greer with the team at Agenda Wise does what the liberal media will not……

Check out his latest blog post!

The Texas redistricting process has now been marred by a conflict of interest. Since the conflict favors liberals, the media has been as quiet as a mouse, the latest media dereliction of duty.

Here’s how your Texas media isn’t serving you:

The United States judicial code provides for the disqualification of a judge if his spouse or a person within the third degree of relationship to either individual is a party to the proceeding. Democrat legislators sued to have maps drafted during the session disqualified and redrawn by judges. Democrat Senator Leticia Van De Putte is the sister-in-law of one of the three judges on the panel who redrew the maps, Judge Orlando L. Garcia. Since the state was sued it’s officers are a party to the suit making Garcia’s relation to Van De Putte a conflict of interest.

Republican State Representative Sarah Davis (R) filed a motion to intervene, noting the clear conflict of interest but the motion was dismissed.

No Texas newspapers featured the story as they should have. Our survey revealed one major Texas daily mentioning the episode.

In 2010 Republicans won a super majority of seats in the Texas House solidifying control of the redistricting process. Democrats spent millions to take power before the process but failed. Now liberals are relying on judicial activist to aid Democrats.

Jason Embry of the Austin American Statesman gave this conflict of interest a mention in his First Reading, noting that the court denied Davis’ motion.

Daniel Greer is Executive Director of AgendaWise. Previously, Daniel worked for Empower Texans, a non-profit direct advocacy group focused on fiscal policy in Texas. He holds a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. A native Texan, Daniel is a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and lives in Austin with his wife Karen and their son Griffin. You can reach him at dgreer@agendawise.com.